Techniques for Overcoming Self-Censorship and Embracing Non-Writing
In the world of writing, it's not uncommon to feel a pang of guilt when taking a day off. Meg, a freelance writer and an eight-time NaNoWriMo winner, knows this feeling all too well. Despite her impressive track record, even she has felt the weight of guilt when she decided to take a break from blogging after months of consistent work.
However, Meg soon learned that a day off from writing doesn't have to be a cause for concern. Life goes on, even if writing is neglected for a day. In fact, taking a break can help alleviate feelings of guilt, especially when the writer plans to return the next day.
Meg's work has been published in esteemed platforms like Teen Ink, Success Story, Lifehack, and USA TODAY College. She is also the creator of Novelty Revisions, a website dedicated to helping writers. Through her experiences, she has developed some key strategies to manage guilt and maintain productivity.
One of the most important strategies is to recognise that guilt often arises from comparison and internal pressure, not actual lack of worth or progress. It's essential to remind oneself that your worth is not tied to output.
Another strategy is to practice mindfulness about whether you’re genuinely enjoying your break or just avoiding discomfort. Admitting when you need rest helps break negative cycles. Meg suggests giving yourself permission to rest fully, imagining a day with no expectations, which can foster creativity and fresh ideas emerging spontaneously.
Structured approaches and accountability can also be beneficial in managing writing projects. Recognising progress is not only measured in pages written but also in steps like opening your document or reflecting on ideas, which can happen even on rest days.
Lastly, it's important to cultivate a supportive writing system and protect dedicated writing time. This helps maintain momentum over the long term without burnout.
Writing does not have to be the only form of creativity. Exercising creativity in a different way, such as drawing or taking pictures, can help when the writer doesn't want to write at a particular moment.
In summary, balancing rest with a smart, supportive writing plan that honours your emotional and creative needs is essential to overcoming guilt and sustaining productivity as a writer. So, the next time you feel a twinge of guilt for taking a day off, remember that it's not the end of the world, and it might just be what you need to recharge and come back stronger.
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- Meg, recognizing the importance of a balanced lifestyle, also enjoys dabbling in home-and-garden projects and education-and-self-development books, as a means to foster personal-growth beyond her writing work.
- On days when Meg feels uninspired to write, she finds solace in reading a book about personal-growth, confident that nurturing her mind in other ways contributes to her overall productivity and well-being.
